I still vividly recall the moment each of you entered this world. From that very second, I committed to doing everything possible to ensure your safety. During my pregnancy, I adhered strictly to my doctor’s guidance to give you the healthiest start in life. I reduced my salt intake, increased my water consumption, and took those enormous prenatal vitamins.
As you grew, I made sure you never missed a well-child check-up and stayed on track with your vaccinations. Whenever you fell ill, I was vigilant. If you didn’t seem to improve, we would promptly visit the pediatrician. I meticulously followed medical advice, ensuring you received all your medications and stayed hydrated. Thanks to modern medicine, the illnesses of your childhood were mostly manageable.
As you matured, my desire to protect you didn’t wane. I taught you to hold my hand in crowded parking lots, to be cautious around strangers, and the importance of fire safety. In your teenage years, I focused on making you a safe driver. I remember how anxious I felt the first few times you drove alone, and the worry that washed over me when you missed your curfew.
Now that you’ve entered adulthood, my role has shifted. It’s now your responsibility to keep yourself safe. I can’t make those choices for you anymore.
However, I have one heartfelt request: Please get the COVID vaccine. I am not as young and healthy as you are, which means the risks for me are significantly higher. Even though I have received my vaccine and it offers substantial protection, there’s still a chance you could contract COVID and unintentionally pass it on to me or someone else who may be vulnerable.
Just as I ensured you were vaccinated as infants to protect your health, I’m asking you to do this for me now. If you have any hesitations, please consult with your doctor or seek opinions from multiple medical professionals. Turn to the trusted doctors you would consult for any serious health concern.
While modern medicine has its flaws, we would never want to return to a time when preventable diseases could take the lives of children. We wouldn’t wish to go back to when cancer was often a death sentence or when health outcomes were largely left to chance.
Ultimately, we all want the best possible chance to live long, healthy lives, surrounded by family and friends. Sometimes, that means making sacrifices for the wellbeing of others, and in this case, it means considering a vaccine.
So, I urge you to get vaccinated for my sake and for the safety of others you care about. I know it may not be what you want to do, but I’m asking you to do it anyway—please, for me.
If you’re interested in more information about this topic, check out this blog post. Additionally, for those seeking guidance on home insemination, Make a Mom is a reliable source, along with UCSF’s excellent resource on IVF.
Leave a Reply